UNICEF and the Global Goals

UNICEF is committed to doing all it can to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in partnership with governments, civil society, business, academia and the United Nations family – and especially children and young people.

News note

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and champion figure skater Yuna Kim appeals for the children of Syria

NEW YORK/SEOUL, 15 May 2013 – UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and Olympic Gold Medallist and world champion figure skater Yuna Kim today made a heartfelt appeal for support for the children of conflict-torn Syria.

In a 30-second video message Kim, a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF since 2010, calls on viewers to, “Help UNICEF help the children of Syria.”

The crisis in Syria, now in its third year, has affected 3.1 million children inside Syria whilst the number of children who have fled to neighboring countries as refugees is nearing 730,000.

UNICEF is delivering food, water, medical supplies, education, child protection – including psychological and counselling services - and vaccines to Syrians in need. More than 2,900 schools in Syria have been damaged by violence.

Despite generous contributions so far, without additional urgent funding, UNICEF and partners will face enormous challenges to assist children and families in the coming months.

Since Kim joined UNICEF she has been a champion for children’s rights. Her activities include recording a television appeal after the devastating earthquake in Haiti in 2010.

She also recorded a public service announcement reminding the world to live up to its promise to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

Kim has donated her prize money from the World Figure Skating Championships to children affected by the Japanese earthquake in 2011 and after her recent victory in the World Figure Skating Championship she donated her winnings to UNICEF for children with disabilities.

UNICEF works in more than 190 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. For more information about UNICEF and its work visit: www.unicef.org